It feels like the price of a case of beer is higher than it has been since the Babylonians first started fermenting barley 6,000 years ago. But what's behind the rising prices? Turns out, the explanation requires a tour across the economic landscape -- and around the world.

Among today's top online stories for investors are include three stocks that are better buys than Apple, 52 ways to die in a cave, an examination of sports betting hedge funds, and more proof that nobody ever really remembers what the last recovery was like.